Priority determination apparatus, priority determination method, and priority determination program

ABSTRACT

A communication control unit in an electronic apparatus judges the priorities and the types of connected other electronic apparatus or apparatuses by communicating with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the change in the connected state with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses, and feeds to a speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit information as to whether or not the electronic apparatus itself has the highest priority. The speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit sets the allowance or the inhibition of a speech recognition operation in a speech recognition operation judgment unit on the basis of judgment whether or not the electronic apparatus itself has the highest priority.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a priority determination device, apriority determining method, and a priority determination program thatdetermine priorities among connected electronic apparatuses.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, electronic apparatuses equipped with speech recognitiondevices have been developed. Here, examples of the electronicapparatuses equipped with speech recognition functions includetelevision receivers, VTR (video tape recorders), CD players (compactdisk players), video disk players, DVD players (digital versatile diskplayers), mini disk players, and video cameras.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventionalelectronic apparatus equipped with a speech recognition device.

In FIG. 18, an electronic apparatus 900 comprises a speech recognitiondevice 950, an electronic apparatus control unit 906, and an electronicapparatus functional unit 907.

The speech recognition device 950 outputs, when the electronic apparatus900 is so set as to be operated by a speech recognition operation, acommand signal to the electronic apparatus control unit 906 on the basisof a command issued by speech from the exterior. Further, when theelectronic apparatus 900 is so set as not to be operated by the speechrecognition operation, the speech recognition device 950 does not outputthe command signal to the electronic apparatus control unit 906 even ina case where the command is issued by the speech.

The speech recognition device 950 comprises a speech instruction inputunit 901, a speech recognition unit 902, a communication control unit903, a speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 904, and aspeech recognition operation judgment unit 905.

The speech instruction input unit 901 is composed of a microphone or thelike, and inputs the speech as an audio signal to the speech recognitionunit 902.

The speech recognition unit 902 searches a speech dictionary on thebasis of the inputted audio signal, recognizes the command issued by theaudio signal, and outputs the results of the recognition as a commandsignal to the speech recognition operation judgment unit 905.

The communication control unit 903 receives, when it performs suchsetting that the electronic apparatus 900 performs no speech recognitionoperation by communication means, a signal indicating that a speechrecognition operation is inhibited from a communication control unit 908in another electronic apparatus, and outputs the received signal to thespeech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 904.

The speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 904 sets theinhibition or the allowance of the speech recognition operation in thespeech recognition operation judgment unit 905 on the basis of a manualoperation or information from the communication control unit 903.

The speech recognition operation judgment unit 905 is composed of amemory and a microcomputer. The microcomputer performs various types ofoperations on the basis of the information stored in the memory and theinformation fed by the speech recognition unit 902 and the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 904.

When the speech recognition operation is allowed by the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 904, the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 905 outputs the command signal tothe electronic apparatus control unit 906 on the basis of the commandfed by the speech recognition unit 902. Further, when the speechrecognition operation is inhibited by the speech recognition operationinhibition setting unit 904, the speech recognition operation judgmentunit 905 does not output the command signal to the electronic apparatuscontrol unit 906 even if the command is fed by the speech recognitionunit 902.

The electronic apparatus control unit 906 receives the command signal bya manual operation or the speech recognition operation of the speechrecognition device 950, to control the electronic apparatus functionalunit 907.

The electronic apparatus functional unit 907 performs the inherentfunction of the electronic apparatus 900 by the control of theelectronic apparatus control unit 906. When the electronic apparatus 900is a television receiver, the inherent function of the electronicapparatus 900 means the turn-on and the turn-off of a power supply, thereceiving of a television signal, the selection of a receiving channel,the display of video, the output of speech, etc. Consequently, theinherent function of the electronic apparatus 900 is specified dependingon what is the electronic apparatus 900.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a prioritydetermination device, a priority determining method, and a prioritydetermination program that can automatically determine priorities amongconnected electronic apparatuses when the connected state is changed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a prioritydetermination device, a priority determining method, and a prioritydetermination program that can automatically determine priorities amongconnected electronic apparatuses when the states of power supplies arechanged.

A priority determination device according to an aspect of the presentinvention is a priority determination device provided in one of aplurality of electronic apparatuses that can be connected to oneanother, are respectively assigned priorities, and respectively haveoperation units each performing a predetermined operation, comprisingconnected state detection means for detecting the change in theconnected state of the plurality of electronic apparatuses;identification means for identifying the electronic apparatus orapparatuses, other than the one electronic apparatus, connected afterthe change in the connected state by communicating with the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of thechange by the connected state detection means; judgment means forjudging whether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority on the basis of the priority of each of the electronicapparatuses identified by the identification means; and operationallowance/inhibition means for allowing the operation performed by theoperation unit when the judgment means judges that the one electronicapparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting the operationperformed by the operation unit when the judgment means judges that theone electronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In the priority determination device according to the present invention,when the connected state detection means detects the change in theconnected state of the plurality of electronic apparatuses, theidentification means identifies the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state bycommunicating with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses inresponse to the detection of the change. The judgment means judges, onthe basis of the priority of each of the identified electronicapparatuses, whether or not the self electronic apparatus has thehighest priority. The operation allowance/inhibition means allows theoperation performed by the operation unit when the judgment means judgesthat the electronic apparatus has the highest priority, while inhibitingthe operation performed by the operation unit when the judgment meansjudges that the electronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the connectedstate is changed, the highest priority among the electronic apparatusesis automatically judged. Accordingly, a user need not performcomplicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The identification means may comprise communication means for receivingthe identification information from the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state inresponse to the detection of the change by the connected state detectionmeans, and transmitting the self identification information to the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in theconnected state, and the judgment means may comprise comparison meansfor comparing the identification information for the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses received by the communication means with theself identification information, to judge whether or not the oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority.

In this case, the communication means receives the identificationinformation from the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state in response to the detection ofthe change by the connected state detection means, and transmits theself identification information to the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state. Thecomparison means compares the identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses received by the communication meanswith the self identification information, thereby judging whether or notthe self electronic apparatus has the highest priority.

When the connected state of the electronic apparatuses is thus changed,the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state are judged by the communicationand the comparison of the identification information.

The priority determination device may further comprise storage means forstoring apparatus connection information representing the electronicapparatuses which are connected to one another on the basis of theidentification information for the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses received by the communication means, and the operation unitmay have the function of operating the electronic apparatuses connectedon the basis of the apparatus connection information stored in thestorage means.

In this case, the storage means stores the apparatus connectioninformation representing the electronic apparatuses which are connectedto one another on the basis of the identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses received by the communicationmeans. The electronic apparatuses connected on the basis of theapparatus connection information stored by the storage means areoperated by the operation unit.

Consequently, the user need not set the information related to theconnected electronic apparatuses when the connected state of theelectronic apparatuses is changed.

The priority determination device may further comprise power supplystate detection means for detecting the change in the states of powersupplies in the plurality of electronic apparatuses which are connectedto one another, identification means for identifying the electronicapparatus in which the power supply is in the on state out of the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in thestates of the power supplies by communicating with the connected otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of thechange by the power supply state detection means, judgment means forjudging whether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority on the basis of the priority of each of the electronicapparatuses identified by the identification means, and operationallowance/inhibition means for allowing the operation performed by theoperation unit when the judgment means judges that the one electronicapparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting the operationperformed by the operation unit when the judgment means judges that theone electronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In this case, when the power supply state detection means detects thechange in the states of the power supplies in the plurality ofelectronic apparatuses, the identification means identifies theelectronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on state out ofthe other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the changein the states of the power supplies by communicating with the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of thechange. The judgment means judges, on the basis of the priority of eachof the identified electronic apparatuses, whether or not the oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority. The operationallowance/inhibition means allows the operation performed by theoperation unit when the judgment means judges that the electronicapparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting the operationperformed by the operation unit when the judgment means judges that theelectronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the states of thepower supplies are changed, the highest priority among the electronicapparatuses is automatically judged. Accordingly, the user need notperform complicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The identification means may comprise communication means for receivingthe identification information, together with power supply informationrepresenting the states of the power supplies, from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies in response to the detection of the change by the powersupply state detection means, and transmitting power supply informationrepresenting the state of the self power supply, together with the selfidentification information, to the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state, and thejudgment means may comprise comparison means for comparing theidentification information for the electronic apparatuses in which thepower supplies are in the on state on the basis of the power supplyinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses and theself power supply information which have been received by thecommunication means, to judge whether or not the one electronicapparatus out of the electronic apparatuses in which the power suppliesare in the on state has the highest priority.

In this case, the communication means receives the identificationinformation and the power supply information from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate in response to the detection of the change by the power supplystate detection means, and transmits the self identification informationand the self power supply information to the other electronic apparatusor apparatuses connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies. The comparison means compares the identification informationfor the electronic apparatuses in which the power supplies are in the onstate, thereby judging whether or not the one electronic apparatus hasthe highest priority.

When the states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arethus changed, the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies arejudged by the communication and the comparison of the identificationinformation and the power supply information.

The operation unit may comprise a speech recognition operation unit thatperforms a speech recognition operation.

In this case, the user can operate the connected electronic apparatusesusing the speech recognition operation of the electronic apparatus whichis determined to have the highest priority by the priority determinationdevice.

A priority determination device according to another aspect of thepresent invention is a priority determination device provided in one ofa plurality of electronic apparatuses that can be connected to oneanother, are respectively assigned priorities, and respectively haveoperation units each performing a predetermined operation, comprisingpower supply state detection means for detecting the change in thestates of power supplies in the plurality of electronic apparatuseswhich are connected to one another; identification means for identifyingthe electronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on stateout of the electronic apparatus or apparatuses, other than the oneelectronic apparatus, connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies by communicating with the connected other electronicapparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of the change bythe power supply state detection means; judgment means for judgingwhether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highest priority onthe basis of the priority of each of the electronic apparatusesidentified by the identification means; and operationallowance/inhibition means for allowing the operation performed by theoperation unit when the judgment means judges that the one electronicapparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting the operationperformed by the operation unit when the judgment means judges that theone electronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In the priority determination device according to the present invention,when the power supply state detection means detects the change in thestates of the power supplies in the plurality of electronic apparatuses,the identification means identifies the electronic apparatus in whichthe power supply is in the on state out of the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies by communicating with the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses in response to the detection of the change. The judgmentmeans judges, on the basis of the priority of each of the identifiedelectronic apparatuses, whether or not the one electronic apparatus hasthe highest priority. The operation allowance/inhibition means allowsthe operation performed by the operation unit when the judgment meansjudges that the electronic apparatus has the highest priority, whileinhibiting the operation performed by the operation unit when thejudgment means judges that the electronic apparatus does not have thehighest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the states of thepower supplies are changed, the highest priority among the electronicapparatuses is automatically judged. Accordingly, the user need notperform complicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The priority determination device may be so adapted that priorities arepreviously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying the plurality of electronic apparatuses, the identificationmeans may comprise communication means for receiving the identificationinformation, together with power supply information representing thestates of the power supplies, from the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies in response to the detection of the change by the power supplystate detection means, and transmitting power supply informationrepresenting the state of the self power supply, together with the selfidentification information, to the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state, and thejudgment means may comprise comparison means for comparing theidentification information for the electronic apparatuses in which thepower supplies are in the on state on the basis of the power supplyinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses and theself power supply information which have been received by thecommunication means, to judge whether or not the one electronicapparatus out of the electronic apparatuses in which the power suppliesare in the on state has the highest priority.

In this case, the communication means receives the identificationinformation and the power supply information from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate in response to the detection of the change by the power supplystate detection means, and transmits the self identification informationand the self power supply information to the other electronic apparatusor apparatuses connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies. The comparison means compares the identification informationfor the electronic apparatuses in which the power supplies are in the onstate, thereby judging whether or not the one electronic apparatus hasthe highest priority.

When the states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arethus changed, the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies arejudged by the communication and the comparison of the identificationinformation and the power supply information.

The priority determination device may further comprises storage meansfor storing apparatus connection information representing the electronicapparatuses which are connected to one another on the basis of theidentification information for the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses received by the communication means, and the operation unitmay have the function of operating the electronic apparatuses connectedon the basis of the apparatus connection information stored in thestorage means.

In this case, the storage means stores the apparatus connectioninformation representing the electronic apparatuses which are connectedto one another on the basis of the identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses received by the communicationmeans. The electronic apparatuses connected on the basis of theapparatus connection information stored by the storage means areoperated by the operation unit.

Consequently, the user need not set the information related to theelectronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on state whenthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arechanged.

The operation unit may comprise a speech recognition operation unit thatperforms a speech recognition operation.

In this case, the user can operate the electronic apparatuses in whichthe power supplies are in the on state using the speech recognitionoperation of the electronic apparatus which is determined to have thehighest priority by the priority determination device.

A priority determining method according to another aspect of the presentinvention is a priority determining method provided in one of aplurality of electronic apparatuses that can be connected to oneanother, are respectively assigned priorities, and respectively haveoperation units each performing a predetermined operation, comprisingthe steps of detecting the change in the connected state of theplurality of electronic apparatuses; identifying the electronicapparatus or apparatuses, other than the one electronic apparatus,connected after the change in the connected state by communicating withthe other electronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to thedetection of the change; judging whether or not the one electronicapparatus has the highest priority on the basis of the priority of eachof the identified electronic apparatuses; and allowing the operationperformed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting theoperation performed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In the priority determining method according to the present invention,when the change in the connected state of the plurality of electronicapparatuses is detected, the other electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the connected state are identified bycommunicating with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses inresponse to the detection of the change. It is judged, on the basis ofthe priority of each of the identified electronic apparatuses, whetheror not the one electronic apparatus has the highest priority. Theoperation performed by the operation unit is allowed when it is judgedthat the electronic apparatus has the highest priority, while beinginhibited when it is judged that the electronic apparatus does not havethe highest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the connectedstate is changed, the highest priority among the electronic apparatusesis automatically judged. Accordingly, the user need not performcomplicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The priority determining method may be so adapted that priorities arepreviously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying the plurality of electronic apparatuses, the identifyingstep may comprise the step of receiving the identification informationfrom the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after thechange in the connected state in response to the detection of the changein the connected state by the step of detecting the change, andtransmitting the self identification information to the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate, and the judging step may comprise the step of judging whether ornot the one electronic apparatus has the highest priority by comparingthe identification information for the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses received by the communication means with the selfidentification information.

In this case, the identification information from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate are received in response to the detection of the change, and theself identification information is transmitted to the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate. The received identification information for the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses are compared with the self identificationinformation, thereby judging whether or not the self electronicapparatus has the highest priority.

When the connected state of the electronic apparatuses is thus changed,the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state are judged by the communicationand the comparison of the identification information.

The priority determining method may further comprise the step of storingapparatus connection information representing the electronic apparatuseswhich are connected to one another on the basis of the receivedidentification information for the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses, and the operation unit may operate the electronicapparatuses connected on the basis of the stored apparatus connectioninformation.

In this case, the apparatus connection information representing theelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another is stored onthe basis of the received identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses. The electronic apparatusesconnected on the basis of the stored apparatus connection informationare operated by the operation unit.

Consequently, the user need not set the information related to theconnected electronic apparatuses when the connected state of theelectronic apparatuses is changed.

A priority determining method according to still another aspect of thepresent invention is a priority determining method provided in one of aplurality of electronic apparatuses that can be connected to oneanother, are respectively assigned priorities, and respectively haveoperation units each performing a predetermined operation, comprisingthe steps of detecting the change in the states of power supplies in theplurality of electronic apparatuses which are connected to one another;identifying the electronic apparatus in which the power supply is in theon state out of the electronic apparatus or apparatuses, other than theone electronic apparatus, connected after the change in the states ofthe power supplies by communicating with the connected other electronicapparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of the change inthe states of the power supplies by the step of detecting the change;judging whether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority on the basis of the priority of each of the electronicapparatuses identified by the step of identifying the electronicapparatus in which the power supply is in the on state; and allowing theoperation performed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting theoperation performed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In the priority determining method according to the present invention,when the change in the states of the power supplies in the plurality ofelectronic apparatuses is detected, the electronic apparatus in whichthe power supply is in the on state out of the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies are identified by communicating with the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of the change. Itis judged, on the basis of the priority of each of the identifiedelectronic apparatuses, whether or not the one electronic apparatus hasthe highest priority. The operation performed by the operation unit isallowed when it is judged that the electronic apparatus has the highestpriority, while being inhibited when it is judged that the electronicapparatus does not have the highest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the states of thepower supplies are changed, the highest priority among the electronicapparatuses is automatically judged. Accordingly, the user need notperform complicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The priority determining method may be so adapted that priorities arepreviously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying the plurality of electronic apparatuses, the identifyingstep may comprise the step of receiving the identification information,together with power supply information representing the states of thepower supplies, from the other electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies inresponse to the detection of the change, and transmitting the powersupply information representing the state of the self power supply,together with the self identification information, to the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in theconnected state, and the judging step may comprise the step of judgingwhether or not the one electronic apparatus out of the electronicapparatuses in which the power supplies are in the on state has thehighest priority by comparing the identification information for theelectronic apparatuses in which the power supplies are in the on stateon the basis of the power supply information for the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses and the self power supply information whichhave been received.

In this case, the identification information and the power supplyinformation from the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state are received in response to thedetection of the change, and the self identification information and theself power supply information are transmitted to the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies. The identification information for the electronicapparatuses in which the power supplies are in the on state arecompared, thereby judging whether or not the one electronic apparatushas the highest priority.

When the states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arethus changed, the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies arejudged by the communication and the comparison of the identificationinformation and the power supply information.

The priority determining method may further comprise the step of storingapparatus connection information representing the electronic apparatuseswhich are connected to one another on the basis of the receivedidentification information for the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses, and the operation unit may operate the electronicapparatuses connected on the basis of the stored apparatus connectioninformation.

In this case, the apparatus connection information representing theelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another is stored onthe basis of the received identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses. The electronic apparatusesconnected on the basis of the stored apparatus connection informationare operated by the operation unit.

Consequently, the user need not set the information related to theelectronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on state whenthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arechanged.

A priority determination program according to a further aspect of thepresent invention is a priority determination program executed by aprocessing device in one of a plurality of electronic apparatuses thatcan be connected to one another, are respectively assigned priorities,and respectively have operation units each performing a predeterminedoperation, comprising processing for detecting the change in theconnected state of the plurality of electronic apparatuses; processingfor identifying the electronic apparatus or apparatuses, other than theone electronic apparatus, connected after the change in the connectedstate by communicating with the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses in response to the detection of the change; processing forjudging whether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority on the basis of the priority of each of the identifiedelectronic apparatuses; and processing for allowing the operationperformed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting theoperation performed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In the priority determination program according to the presentinvention, when the change in the connected state of the plurality ofelectronic apparatuses is detected, the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state areidentified by communicating with the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses in response to the detection of the change. It is judged, onthe basis of the priority of each of the identified electronicapparatuses, whether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority. The operation performed by the operation unit is allowed whenit is judged that the electronic apparatus has the highest priority,while being inhibited when it is judged that the electronic apparatusdoes not have the highest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the connectedstate is changed, the highest priority among the electronic apparatusesis automatically judged. Accordingly, the user need not performcomplicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The priority determination program may be so adapted that priorities arepreviously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying the plurality of electronic apparatuses, the identifyingprocessing may comprise processing for receiving the identificationinformation from the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state in response to the detection ofthe change in the connected state by the processing for detecting thechange, and transmitting the self identification information to theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change inthe connected state, and the judging processing may comprise processingfor judging whether or not the one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority by comparing the received identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses with the self identificationinformation.

In this case, the identification information from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate are received in response to the detection of the change, and theself identification information is transmitted to the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate. The received identification information for the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses are compared with the self identificationinformation, thereby judging whether or not the one electronic apparatushas the highest priority.

When the connected state of the electronic apparatuses is thus changed,the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state are judged by the communicationand the comparison of the identification information.

The priority determination program may further comprise processing forstoring apparatus connection information representing the electronicapparatuses which are connected to one another on the basis of thereceived identification information for the other electronic apparatusor apparatuses, and the operation unit may operate the electronicapparatuses connected on the basis of the stored apparatus connectioninformation.

In this case, the apparatus connection information representing theelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another is stored onthe basis of the received identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses. The electronic apparatusesconnected on the basis of the stored apparatus connection informationare operated by the operation unit.

Consequently, the user need not set the information related to theconnected electronic apparatuses when the connected state of theelectronic apparatuses is changed.

A priority determination program according to a still further aspect ofthe present invention is a priority determination program executed by aprocessing device in one of a plurality of electronic apparatuses thatcan be connected to one another, are respectively assigned priorities,and respectively have operation units each performing a predeterminedoperation, comprising processing for detecting the change in the statesof power supplies in the plurality of electronic apparatuses which areconnected to one another; processing for identifying the electronicapparatus in which the power supply is in the on state out of theelectronic apparatus or apparatuses, other than the one electronicapparatus, connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies by communicating with the connected other electronic apparatusor apparatuses in response to the detection of the change in the statesof the power supplies by the processing for detecting the change;processing for judging whether or not the one electronic apparatus hasthe highest priority on the basis of the priority of each of theidentified electronic apparatuses; and processing for allowing theoperation performed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting theoperation performed by the operation unit when it is judged that the oneelectronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

In the priority determination program according to the presentinvention, when the change in the states of the power supplies in theplurality of electronic apparatuses is detected, the electronicapparatus in which the power supply is in the on state out of the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in thestates of the power supplies is identified by communicating with theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the detectionof the change. It is judged, on the basis of the priority of each of theidentified electronic apparatuses, whether or not the one electronicapparatus has the highest priority. The operation performed by theoperation unit is allowed when it is judged that the electronicapparatus has the highest priority, while being inhibited when it isjudged that the electronic apparatus does not have the highest priority.

Thus, the mutual existence of the connected electronic apparatuses isrecognized among the electronic apparatuses, and the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is judged. The operation performedby the operation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highestpriority is allowed, and the operations performed by the operation unitsin the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses are inhibited.Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit in theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority out of the plurality ofconnected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time the states of thepower supplies are changed, the highest priority among the electronicapparatuses is automatically judged. Accordingly, the user need notperform complicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

The priority determination program may be so adapted that priorities arepreviously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying the plurality of electronic apparatuses, the identifyingprocessing may comprise processing for receiving the identificationinformation, together with power supply information representing thestates of the power supplies, from the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies in response to the detection of the change, and transmittingpower supply information representing the state of the self powersupply, together with the self identification information, to the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in theconnected state, and the judging processing may comprise processing forjudging whether or not the one electronic apparatus out of theelectronic apparatuses in which the power supplies are in the on statehas the highest priority by comparing the identification information forthe electronic apparatuses in which the power supplies are in the onstate on the basis of the power supply information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses and the self power supplyinformation which have been received.

In this case, the identification information and the power supplyinformation from the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state are received in response to thedetection of the change, and the self identification information and theself power supply information are transmitted to the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies. The identification information for the electronicapparatuses in which the power supplies are in the on state arecompared, thereby judging whether or not the one electronic apparatushas the highest priority.

When the states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arethus changed, the priorities of the electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies arejudged by the communication and the comparison of the identificationinformation and the power supply information.

The priority determination program may further comprise processing forstoring apparatus connection information representing the electronicapparatuses which are connected to one another on the basis of thereceived identification information for the other electronic apparatusor apparatuses, and the operation unit may operate the electronicapparatuses connected on the basis of the stored apparatus connectioninformation.

In this case, the apparatus connection information representing theelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another is stored onthe basis of the received identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses. The electronic apparatusesconnected on the basis of the stored apparatus connection informationare operated by the operation unit.

Consequently, the user need not set the information related to theelectronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on state whenthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses arechanged.

An electronic apparatus according to yet still another aspect of thepresent invention is an electronic apparatus that can be connected tothe other electronic apparatus or apparatuses, wherein the electronicapparatus has an inherent number capable of determining a priority in apredetermined function in the connected state with the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses.

In this case, the priority can be determined by the inherent number inthe connected state with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses.

According to the present invention, the mutual existence of theconnected electronic apparatuses is recognized among the electronicapparatuses, and the electronic apparatus having the highest priority isjudged. The operation performed by the operation unit in the electronicapparatus having the highest priority is allowed, and the operationsperformed by the operation units in the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses are inhibited. Consequently, it is possible to operate theoperation unit in the electronic apparatus having the highest priorityout of the plurality of connected electronic apparatuses. Further, everytime the connected state is changed, the highest priority among theelectronic apparatuses is automatically judged. Accordingly, the userneed not perform complicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

Furthermore, the mutual existence of the connected electronicapparatuses is recognized among the electronic apparatuses, and theelectronic apparatus having the highest priority is judged. Theoperation performed by the operation unit in the electronic apparatushaving the highest priority is allowed, and the operations performed bythe operation units in the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses areinhibited. Consequently, it is possible to operate the operation unit inthe electronic apparatus having the highest priority out of theplurality of connected electronic apparatuses. Further, every time thestates of the power supplies are changed, the highest priority among theelectronic apparatuses is automatically judged. Accordingly, the userneed not perform complicated setting for the electronic apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the connection of four types ofelectronic apparatuses each comprising a priority determination devicein a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communicationcontrol unit in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the outline of the flow of processingrelated to the recognition of a connected state and the judgment ofpriorities in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the change in the connected stateamong the four types of electronic apparatuses in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the change in the connected stateamong the four types of electronic apparatuses in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the electronic apparatuses with the change in theconnected state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the electronic apparatuses with the change in theconnected state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the electronic apparatuses with the change in theconnected state in the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the connection of four types ofelectronic apparatuses each comprising a priority determination devicein a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communicationcontrol unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the outline of the flow of processingrelated to the recognition of the states of power supplies and thejudgment of priorities in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the change in the state of the powersupply in each of the four types of electronic apparatuses among theelectronic apparatuses in the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing the change in the state of the powersupply in each of the four types of electronic apparatuses among theelectronic apparatuses in the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the connected electronic apparatuses with the change inthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the connected electronic apparatuses with the change inthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the connected electronic apparatuses with the change inthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a detailed flow chart showing priority determinationprocessing of the connected electronic apparatuses with the change inthe states of the power supplies in the electronic apparatuses in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventionalelectronic apparatus equipped with a speech recognition device in thesecond embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described on the basis ofFIGS. 1 to 17.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the connection of four types ofelectronic apparatuses each comprising a priority determination devicein a first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the configurations of the two types ofelectronic apparatuses are illustrated. It is assumed that the fourelectronic apparatuses are arranged near to one another.

In FIG. 1, a first electronic apparatus C (hereinafter referred to as anapparatus C) comprises a speech recognition device 150, an electronicapparatus control unit 106, and an electronic apparatus functional unit107.

When the apparatus C is so set as to be operated by a speech recognitionoperation, the speech recognition device 150 outputs a command signal tothe electronic apparatus control unit 106 on the basis of a commandissued by speech from the exterior. When the apparatus C is so set asnot to be operated by the speech recognition operation, the speechrecognition device 150 does not output the command signal to theelectronic apparatus control unit 106 even when the command is issued bythe speech.

In the first embodiment, the speech recognition device 150 determines,when it is connected to the other electronic apparatuses, prioritiesamong the connected electronic apparatuses, and performs a speechrecognition function when the electronic apparatus provided therewithhas the highest priority. Priority determination processing will bedescribed later.

The speech recognition device 150 comprises a speech instruction inputunit 101, a speech recognition unit 102, a communication control unit103, a speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, and aspeech recognition operation judgment unit 105. In the presentembodiment, the communication control unit 103 constitutes a prioritydetermination device.

The speech instruction input unit 101 is composed of a microphone or thelike, and inputs speech as an audio signal to the speech recognitionunit 102.

The speech recognition unit 102 searches a speech dictionary on thebasis of the inputted audio signal, recognizes a command issued by theaudio signal, and outputs the results of the recognition as a commandsignal to the speech recognition operation judgment unit 105.

The communication control unit 103 judges the priority and the type ofthe connected electronic apparatus in response to the change in theconnected state with the other electronic apparatuses, and performsvarious types of operations on the basis of the results of the judgment.Here, the other electronic apparatuses are a second electronic apparatusX, a third electronic apparatus B, and a fourth electronic apparatus A.The communication control unit 103 feeds to the speech recognitionoperation inhibition setting unit 104 information as to whether or notthe apparatus C has the highest priority. Further, the communicationcontrol unit 103 outputs, in a case where it operates the otherelectronic apparatuses when it is connected to the other electronicapparatuses, a command signal fed from the speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 to the other electronic apparatuses.

The speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 104 sets theinhibition or the allowance of the speech recognition operation in thespeech recognition operation judgment unit 105 on the basis of a manualoperation or the information from the communication control unit 103.

The speech recognition operation judgment unit 105 is composed of amemory and a computer. The memory stores information representing thetypes of the other electronic apparatuses which are fed by thecommunication control unit 103. The microcomputer performs various typesof operations on the basis of the information stored in the memory andthe information fed from the speech recognition unit 102, the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, and the communicationcontrol unit 103. Consequently, the speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 can operate not only the electronic apparatus providedtherewith but also the other electronic apparatuses by the speechrecognition operation.

When the speech recognition operation is allowed by the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 outputs the command signal tothe electronic apparatus control unit 106 on the basis of the commandfed by the speech recognition unit 102. Further, the speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105 outputs, when it operates the connectedother electronic apparatuses, the command signal to the communicationcontrol unit 103 on the basis of the command fed by the speechrecognition unit 102, and operates the other electronic apparatusesthrough the communication control unit 103.

On the other hand, when the speech recognition operation is inhibited bythe speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 does not output the commandsignal to the electronic apparatus control unit 106 even if the commandis fed by the speech recognition unit 102.

The electronic apparatus control unit 106 receives the command signal bya manual operation or the speech recognition operation of the speechrecognition device 150, to control the electronic apparatus functionalunit 107.

The electronic apparatus functional unit 107 performs the inherentfunction of the apparatus C by the control of the electronic apparatuscontrol unit 107. Here, when the apparatus C is a television receiver,the inherent function of the apparatus C means the turn-on and turn-offof a power supply, the receiving of a television signal, the selectionof a receiving channel, the display of video, the output of speech, etc.Consequently, the inherent function of the apparatus C is specifieddepending on what is the apparatus C.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communicationcontrol unit 103 in the apparatus C. The configuration and theoperations of the communication control unit 103 will be described onthe basis of FIG. 2.

The communication control unit 103 comprises an input/output interface802, a microcomputer 803, a memory 804, and a comparison register 805.

The input/output interface 802 is connected to the other electronicapparatus 801 by a cable, infrared communication, etc., and outputs tothe microcomputer 803 a signal representing connection or disconnection.Here, the other electronic apparatus 801 corresponds to the secondelectronic apparatus X, the third electronic apparatus B, and the fourthelectronic apparatus A shown in FIG. 1.

The microcomputer 803 performs various types of processing in responseto the change in the connected state with the other electronic apparatus801. The memory in the microcomputer 803 stores a priority determinationprogram for executing priority determination processing shown in FIGS. 6to 8. The priority determination program in the microcomputer 803executes the priority determination program stored in the memory in themicrocomputer 803, to perform the priority determination processing.

The memory 804 stores an ID (identification) number transmitted from theother electronic apparatus 801. The comparison register 805 is used forcomparing the priorities of ID numbers.

The configuration and the operations of the second electronic apparatusX (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus X) are the same as theconfiguration and the operations of the apparatus C. The function of anelectronic apparatus functional unit 107 in the apparatus X differs fromthe function of the electronic apparatus functional unit 107 in theapparatus C. When the inherent function of the apparatus X is a videotape recorder, for example, the electronic apparatus functional unit 107has the functions such as recording and reproduction of a video tape.

The configurations and the operations of the third electronic apparatusB (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus B) and the fourth electronicapparatus A (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus A) are also thesame as the operations of the apparatus C. However, the functions ofelectronic apparatus functional units 107 in the apparatuses B and Adiffer from the functions of the electronic apparatus functional units107 in the apparatuses C and X.

Here, the outline of the flow of processing related to the recognitionof the connected state and the judgment of the priorities will bedescribed using FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing priority determination processing in acase where the connected state is changed in the electronic apparatusshown in FIG. 1. The outline of the flow, described below, is applied toall changes in the connected state among the electronic apparatuses.

First, communication processing is automatically started among theelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another as theconnected state is changed (step SF1). Consequently, mutualcommunication is established with respect to information representingpriorities for speech recognition and information representing the typesof the connected electronic apparatuses.

Each of the electronic apparatuses judges whether or not any of theother electronic apparatuses must still communicate therewith (stepSF2). Communication is established among all the connected electronicapparatuses by the electronic apparatus communication processing at thestep SF1 and the connected apparatus judgment processing at the stepSF2. Accordingly, each of the electronic apparatuses receives theinformation representing priorities for speech recognition from theother electronic apparatuses and the information representing the typesof the connected other electronic apparatuses.

Thereafter, each of the electronic apparatuses judges the priority onthe basis of the information received at the step SF1 and SF2 (stepSF3). Here, each of the electronic apparatuses judges whether or not theapparatus itself has the highest priority. Consequently, the pluralityof electronic apparatuses which are connected to one another areclassified into the one electronic apparatus having the highest priorityand the other electronic apparatuses having the non-highest priorities.

The electronic apparatus having the highest priority then performssetting processing at highest priority (step SF4). In this case, thecommunication control unit 103 outputs information representing thehighest priority to the speech recognition operation inhibition settingunit 104, and outputs the information representing the types of theconnected other electronic apparatuses to the speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105. Consequently, the speech recognitionoperation inhibition setting unit 104 allows the speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105 to perform the speech recognition operationby the speech instruction input unit 101 and the speech recognition unit102.

On the other hand, the electronic apparatus having the non-highestpriority performs setting processing at non-highest priority (step SF5).In this case, the communication control unit 103 outputs informationrepresenting the non-highest priority to the speech recognitionoperation inhibition setting unit 104, and outputs informationrepresenting the types of the connected other electronic apparatuses tothe speech recognition operation inhibition judgment unit 105.Consequently, the speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit104 inhibits the speech recognition operation judgment unit 105 fromperforming the speech recognition operation by the speech instructioninput unit 101 and the speech recognition unit 102.

In the following description, the electronic apparatus having thehighest priority out of the electronic apparatuses which are connectedto one another is referred to as a master, and the electronic apparatushaving the non-highest priority is referred to as a slave.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic views showing the change in the connectedstate among the four types of electronic apparatuses shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 4 illustrates a case where the apparatus X is connected to theapparatus C in a state where the apparatus A, the apparatus B, and theapparatus C are connected to one another. FIG. 5 illustrates a casewhere the apparatus X is non-connected in a state where the apparatus A,the apparatus B, the apparatus C, and the apparatus X are connected toone another.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are detailed flow charts showing priority determinationprocessing of the electronic apparatuses with the change in theconnected state.

The priority determination processing of the electronic apparatuses willbe described separately with respect to a case where a new electronicapparatus is connected and a case where one of electronic apparatuses isnon-connected.

It is assumed that ID numbers IDa, IDb, IDc, and IDx are respectivelyassigned to the apparatuses A, B, C, and X. It is assumed that thepriorities of the apparatuses A, B, C, and X are respectively determinedby the values of the ID numbers IDa, IDb, IDc, and IDx. In the firstembodiment, the values of the ID numbers have the relationship ofIDa>IDb>IDc>IDx, and the priorities of the apparatuses A, B, C, and Xdecrease in this order. A method of determining the priorities of theapparatuses is not limited to the same. For example, the priorities maybe determined using a part of an inherent number assigned to each of theapparatuses or on the basis of the results of processing of the whole ora part of the inherent number by an operation or the like.

In the connected state shown in FIG. 4, consider a case where the newelectronic apparatus is connected. That is, description is made of acase where the apparatus X is newly connected to the apparatus C in astate where the apparatuses A, B, and C are connected to one another.Here, the apparatus A has the highest priority before the connectedstate is changed.

The other apparatus X is connected to the input/output interface 802 inthe apparatus C, whereby the microcomputer 803 in the communicationcontrol unit 103 in the apparatus C detects the change in the connectedstate (step S1).

Consequently, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C transmits acomparison register reset signal to the other apparatuses B and Xthrough the input/output interface 802 (step S2). Here, the comparisonregister reset signal is a signal for resetting data stored in thecomparison register 805 in the communication control unit 103 in each ofthe apparatuses.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then sets the self ID numberIDc in the self comparison register 805 (step S3). The ID number IDa isset in the comparison register 805 in the apparatus C before theapparatus X is connected because the apparatus A has the highestpriority.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C transmits an orderidentifier and the ID number IDc to the other apparatuses B and X (stepS4). Here, the order identifier indicates that an ID number for priorityassignment is transmitted. Since the apparatus C is not directlyconnected to the apparatus A, the apparatus C cannot directly transmitthe order identifier and the ID number IDc to the apparatus A.

The apparatus C enters a receiving wait mode of an order identifier andan ID number from the other apparatus (step S5). In the apparatus X, theoperations at the steps S1 to S5 are also performed.

The operations of the apparatus B during the operations at the steps S1to S5 of the apparatus C will be described below.

The apparatus B does not detect, at the time point where the apparatus Xis connected to the apparatus C, the change in the connected state (stepS1), not to start communication processing. The communication processingof the apparatus B is started by receiving the comparison register resetsignal through the input/output interface 802 from the apparatus C (stepS11). The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B resets the selfcomparison register 805 when it receives the comparison register resetsignal.

Furthermore, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B transmits thereceived comparison register reset signal to the other apparatus Athrough the input/output interface 802 (step S12).

Thereafter, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B sets the self IDnumber IDb in the self comparison register 805 (step S13).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B transmits an order identifierand the self ID number IDb to the other apparatuses A and C through theinput/output interface 802 (step S14). Thereafter, the apparatus Benters a receiving wait mode of an order identifier from the otherapparatus (step S5). In the apparatus A, the operations at the steps S1,S11 to S14, and S5 are also performed.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C stores, when it receives theorder identifiers and the ID numbers IDb and IDx from the otherapparatuses B and X through the input/output interface 802 in thereceiving wait mode (step S21), the received ID numbers IDb and IDx fromthe other apparatuses B and X in the memory 804 (step S22).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C transmits the order identifiersand the ID numbers IDb and IDx received from the other apparatuses B andX to the other apparatuses B and X through the input/output interface802 (step S23).

The foregoing steps S21 to S23 are repeated until a predetermined timeperiod has elapsed (step S31). In this case, the apparatus C can acceptthe ID number IDa from the apparatus A which is not directly connectedthereto through the apparatus B. Consequently, the ID numbers IDa, IDb,and IDx of all the other apparatuses A, B, and X are stored in thememory 804 in the apparatus C.

In the apparatuses A, B, and X, the operations at the steps S21 to S23are also repeated. Consequently, the ID numbers of all the otherapparatuses are respectively stored in the memories 804 in theapparatuses A, B, and X.

The operations at the foregoing steps S1 to S5 and S21 to S23 correspondto communication processing among electronic apparatuses at the step SF1in the priority determination processing shown in FIG. 3. The step S31corresponds to the connection apparatus judgment processing at the stepSF2 in the priority determination processing shown in FIG. 3.

Although in this example, each of the apparatuses A, B, C, and X firsttransmits the comparison register reset signal (step S2), sets the selfID number in the comparison register 805 (step S3), transmits the orderidentifier and the ID number (step S4), and then receives the ID numberfrom the other apparatus, it may, in some cases, receive the ID numbersfrom the other apparatuses in a case where it sets the self ID number inthe comparison register. In this case, the apparatus may perform theoperations at the steps S3 and S4 after performing the operations at thesteps S21 to S23.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then successively compares theID number set in the comparison register 805 with the ID numbers IDa,IDb, and IDx of the other apparatuses A, B, and X stored in the memory804 (step S41). In the initial state, the self ID number IDc is set inthe comparison register 805.

When the ID number in the memory 804 is larger than the ID number in thecomparison register 805, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C setsin the comparison register 805 the ID number in the memory 804 (stepS42). In this example, the ID number IDa is set in place of the IDnumber IDc in the comparison register 804 in the apparatus C.

When the ID number in the memory 804 is not larger than the ID number inthe comparison register 805, the comparison register 805 is not reset.

Until comparison between the ID number set in the comparison register805 and all the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDx stored in the memory 804 isterminated, the operations at the steps S41 to S42 are repeated (stepS43). As a result, the ID number of the electronic apparatus having thehighest priority is set in the comparison register 805. In the presentembodiment, the apparatus A has the highest priority, so that the IDnumber IDa of the apparatus A is set in the comparison register 805.

When the comparison between the ID number set in the comparison register805 and all the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDx stored in the memory 804 isterminated, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C judges whether ornot the comparison register 805 has the same ID number as the self IDnumber IDc (step S44).

In the apparatuses A, B, and X, the operations at the steps S41 to S44are also performed. Consequently, the ID number IDa of the apparatus Ais set in the comparison registers 805 in the apparatuses A, B, and X.

The operations at the steps S41 to S44 correspond to the priorityjudgment processing at the step SF3 in the priority determinationprocessing shown in FIG. 3. The processing is retrieval work in thememory 804 having the ID number stored at the step S22.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then recognizes, when the selfID number IDc is not set in the comparison register 805 at the step S44,that the apparatus itself is a slave, and outputs a signal indicatingthe slave to the speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit104 in the apparatus C (step S61).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then outputs to the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDxof the other apparatuses A, B, and X which are stored in the memories804 (step S62).

On the other hand, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C recognizes,when the self ID number IDc is set in the comparison register 805 at thestep S44, that the apparatus itself is a master, and outputs a signalindicating the master to the speech recognition operation inhibitionsetting unit 104 in the apparatus C (step S51).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then outputs to the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDxof the other apparatuses A, B, and X which are stored in the memory 804(step S52).

In this example, the ID number IDa of the apparatus A is set in thecomparison register 805 in the apparatus C, whereby it is recognizedthat the apparatus C is a slave.

In the apparatuses A, B, and X, the operations at the steps S41 to S44,S51, S52, S61, and S62 are also performed. Consequently, it isrecognized that the apparatus A is a master, and it is recognized thatthe apparatuses B and X are slaves.

The operations at the steps S51 and S52 correspond to the settingprocessing at highest priority at the step SF4 in the prioritydetermination processing shown in FIG. 3. The operations at the stepsS61 and S62 correspond to the setting processing at non-highest priorityat the step SF5 in the priority determination processing shown in FIG.3.

By the foregoing, the priority determination processing of each of theelectronic apparatuses in a case where the new electronic apparatus isconnected is terminated.

Then consider a case where the one electronic apparatus is non-connectedin the connected state shown in FIG. 5. That is, description is made ofa case where the apparatus X is non-connected from the apparatus C in astate where the apparatuses A, B, C, and X are connected to one another.Here, the apparatus A has the highest priority before the connectedstate is changed.

The input/output interface 802 in the apparatus X enters a non-connectedstate from the apparatus C, whereby the microcomputer 803 in thecommunication control unit 103 in the apparatus X detects the change inthe connected state (step S1).

Consequently, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X performs anoperation for transmitting the comparison register reset signal to theother apparatus through the input/output interface 802 (step S2).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X then sets the self ID numberIDx (the ID number IDx of the apparatus X) in the self comparisonregister 805 (the comparison register 805 in the apparatus X) (step S3).The ID number IDa is set in the comparison register 805 in the apparatusX before it is non-connected from the apparatus C because the apparatusA has the highest priority.

Thereafter, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X performs anoperation for transmitting the order identifier and the ID number IDx tothe other apparatus (step S4).

The apparatus X enters a receiving wait mode of an order identifier andan ID number from the other apparatus (step S5).

The apparatus X is in an independent state. Accordingly, a transmissionoperation to the other apparatus cannot be performed at the foregoingsteps S2 and S4. Therefore, only the steps S1, S3, and S5 are carriedout as an actual operation of the apparatus X.

The operations of the apparatus C during the operations at the steps S1to S5 of the apparatus X will be described below.

The input/output interface 802 in the apparatus C enters a non-connectedstate form the apparatus X, whereby the microcomputer 803 in thecommunication control unit 103 in the apparatus C detects the change inthe connected state (step S1).

The operations performed after that are the same as those at the stepsS2 to S5 in the above-mentioned case where the new electronic apparatusis connected.

The operations of the apparatuses A and B during the operations at thesteps S1 to S5 of the apparatus X are the same as those at the steps S1,S11 to S14, and S5 in the above-mentioned case where the new electronicapparatus is connected.

The apparatus X is not connected to the other apparatus. Accordingly,the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X does not receive the orderidentifier and the ID number of the other apparatus in the receivingwait mode after the operation at the step S5. Therefore, the apparatus Xwaits until a predetermined time period has elapsed (step S31).

At this time, the other apparatuses A, B, and C perform the operationsat the steps S21 to S23 shown in the above-mentioned case where the newelectronic apparatus is connected, to wait until a predetermined timeperiod has elapsed (step S31).

The apparatus X makes priority judgment after the elapse of thepredetermined time period at the step S31. That is, the apparatus Xcompares the self ID number set in the comparison register 805 with theID number stored in the memory 804 (step S41). Here, no ID number existsin the memory 804 in the apparatus X which does not receive the orderidentifier and the ID number of the other apparatus. In a state wherethere is no object to be compared, the comparison operation of theapparatus X is terminated (step S43).

At this time, the self ID number IDx set at the step S3 is set in thecomparison register 805 in the apparatus X. The microcomputer 803 in theapparatus X judges that the ID number set in the comparison register 805is the same as the self ID number IDx (step S44).

At this time, the other apparatuses A, B, and C perform the operationsat the steps S41 to S44 shown in the above-mentioned case where the newelectronic apparatus is connected. Here, the ID number IDa of theapparatus A is set in each of the comparison registers 805 in theapparatuses A, B, and C at the step S43.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X recognizes that the apparatusitself is a master because the self ID number IDx is set in thecomparison register 805 at the step S44, and outputs a signal indicatingthe master to the speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit104 in the apparatus X (step S51).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X then performs an operation foroutputting to the speech recognition operation judgment unit 105 the IDnumber in the memory 804. Here, no ID number exists in the memory 804,and no connected electronic apparatus exists. Accordingly, itsubstantially performs no operations (step S52).

The other apparatus A performs the operations at the steps S51 to S52shown in the above-mentioned case where the new electronic apparatus isconnected. On the other hand, the other apparatuses B and C perform theoperations at the steps S61 to S62 shown in the above-mentioned casewhere the new electronic apparatus is connected.

By the foregoing, the apparatus X and the apparatus A are masters, andthe apparatus B and the apparatus C are slaves. Accordingly, thepriority determination processing in the case shown in FIG. 5 where theone electronic apparatus is non-connected is terminated.

(Second Embodiment)

Description is now made of a priority determination device in a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the connection of four types ofelectronic apparatuses each comprising a priority determination devicein the second embodiment.

In FIG. 9, the configurations of the two types of electronic apparatusesare illustrated. It is assumed that the four electronic apparatuses arearranged near to one another. In the second embodiment, theconfigurations of the four electronic apparatuses are the same as thosein the first embodiment except for parts thereof. The configuration andthe operations of the first electronic apparatus C will be describedbelow.

In the second embodiment, an electronic apparatus control unit 106 a, acommunication control unit 103 a, and a speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 a are respectively provided in place of the electronicapparatus control unit 106, the communication control unit 103, and thespeech recognition operation judgment unit 105 in the first embodiment.

When the apparatus C is so set as to be operated by a speech recognitionoperation, the speech recognition device 150 outputs a command signal tothe electronic apparatus control unit 106 a on the basis of a commandissued by speech from the exterior. When the apparatus C is so set asnot to be operated by the speech recognition operation, the speechrecognition device 150 does not output the command signal to theelectronic apparatus control unit 106 even when the command is issued byspeech.

In the second embodiment, the speech recognition device 150 determines,when it is connected to the other electronic apparatuses, prioritiesamong the connected electronic apparatuses, and performs a speechrecognition function when the electronic apparatus provided therewithhas the highest priority, as in the first embodiment. Prioritydetermination processing will be described later.

The speech recognition device 150 comprises a speech instruction inputunit 101, a speech recognition unit 102, a communication control unit103 a, a speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, and aspeech recognition operation judgment unit 105 a. In the presentembodiment, the communication control unit 103 a constitutes a prioritydetermination device.

In the second embodiment, the communication control unit 103 a includedin the speech recognition device 150 judges the priority and the type ofthe connected electronic apparatus in response to the change in thestates of power supplies in the connected other electronic apparatuses,and performs various types of operations on the basis of the results ofthe judgment in addition to the operation of the communication controlunit 103 in the first embodiment. Here, the other electronic apparatusesare a second electronic apparatus X, a third electronic apparatus B, anda fourth electronic apparatus A. The communication control unit 103 afeeds to the speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 104information as to whether or not the apparatus C has the highestpriority. Further, the communication control unit 103 a outputs, in acase where it operates the other apparatuses when it is connected to theother electronic apparatuses, a command signal fed from the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 a to the other apparatuses.

The speech recognition operation judgment unit 105 a is composed of amemory and a computer. The memory stores information representing thetypes of the other electronic apparatuses which are fed by thecommunication control unit 103 a. The microcomputer performs varioustypes of operations on the basis of the information stored in the memoryand the information fed from the speech recognition unit 102, the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, and the communicationcontrol unit 103. Consequently, the speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 a can operate not only the electronic apparatusprovided therewith but also the other electronic apparatuses by thespeech recognition operation.

When the speech recognition operation is allowed by the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 a outputs the command signal tothe electronic apparatus control unit 106 a on the basis of the commandfed by the speech recognition unit 102. Further, the speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105 outputs, when it operates the connectedother electronic apparatuses, the command signal to the communicationcontrol unit 103 a on the basis of the command fed by the speechrecognition unit 102, and operates the other electronic apparatusthrough the communication control unit 103 a. On the other hand, whenthe speech recognition operation is inhibited by the speech recognitionoperation inhibition setting unit 104, the speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 a does not output the command signal to the electronicapparatus control unit 106 a even if the command is fed by the speechrecognition unit 102.

The electronic apparatus control unit 106 a receives the command signalby a manual operation or the speech recognition operation of the speechrecognition device 150, to control the electronic apparatus functionalunit 107. Further, the electronic apparatus control unit 106 atransmits, when it receives a command signal for turning on or off aself power supply from the speech recognition operation judgment unit105 a by a manual operation or the speech recognition operation of thespeech recognition device 150, a detection signal indicating that thestate of the power supply in the apparatus C is changed to thecommunication control unit 103 a. The turn-off of the power supplyreferred to herein is the turn-off of the power supplied to theelectronic apparatus functional unit or the like. It is assumed that thepower is supplied to a portion which communicates with the otherapparatus, for example, a communication control unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of thecommunication control unit 103 a. The configuration and the operationsof the communication control unit 103 a in the second embodiment will bedescribed on the basis of FIG. 10.

The communication control unit 103 a comprises an input/output interface802, a microcomputer 803, a memory 804, and a comparison register 805.

The input/output interface 802 is connected to the other electronicapparatus 801 by a cable, infrared communication, etc. The input/outputinterface 802 receives, when the state of a power supply in theconnected other electronic apparatus is changed, a signal indicatingthat the state of the power supply in the other electronic apparatus ischanged, and outputs the signal to the microcomputer 803. Here, theother electronic apparatus 801 corresponds to the second electronicapparatus X, the third electronic apparatus B, and the fourth electronicapparatus A shown in FIG. 9.

The microcomputer 803 performs various types of processing in responseto the change in the states of the power supplies in the otherelectronic apparatus 801 and the electronic apparatus providedtherewith. The memory in the microcomputer 803 stores a prioritydetermination program for performing priority determination processingshown in FIGS. 14 to 17. The priority determination program in themicrocomputer 803 executes the priority determination program stored inthe memory in the microcomputer 803, to perform the prioritydetermination processing.

The memory 804 stores an ID (identification) number transmitted from theother electronic apparatus 801. The comparison register 805 is used forcomparing the priorities of ID numbers.

The configuration and the operations of the second electronic apparatusX (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus X) are the same as theconfiguration and the operations of the apparatus C. The function of anelectronic apparatus functional unit 107 in the apparatus X differs fromthe function of the electronic apparatus functional unit 107 in theapparatus C.

The configurations and the operations of the third electronic apparatusB (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus B) and the fourth electronicapparatus A (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus A) are the same asthe configuration and the operations of the apparatus C. However, thefunctions of electronic apparatus functional units 107 in theapparatuses B and A differ from the functions of the electronicapparatus functional units 107 in the apparatuses C and X.

Here, the outline of the flow of processing related to the recognitionof the states of power supplies and the judgment of priorities will bedescribed using FIG. 11.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing priority determination processing in acase where the states of power supplies in the electronic apparatusesshown in FIG. 9 are changed. The outline of the flow, described below,is applied to all changes in the states of the power supplies among theelectronic apparatuses.

First, communication processing is automatically started among theelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another as the statesof the power supplies are changed (step SF6). Consequently, mutualcommunication is established with respect to information representingthe priorities for speech recognition, information representing thetypes of the connected electronic apparatuses, and informationrepresenting the states of the power supplies.

Each of the electronic apparatuses judges whether or not any one of theother electronic apparatuses must sill communicate therewith (step SF7).Communication is established among all the connected electronicapparatuses by the communication processing among electronic apparatusesat the step SF6 and the connected apparatus judgment processing at thestep SF7. Accordingly, each of the electronic apparatuses receives theinformation representing the priorities for speech recognition from theother electronic apparatuses, the information representing the types ofthe connected other electronic apparatuses, and the informationrepresenting the states of the power supplies.

Thereafter, each of the electronic apparatuses judges the priority onthe basis of the information received at the step SF6 and SF7 (stepSF8). Here, the electronic apparatus judges whether or not the apparatusitself has the highest priority. Consequently, the plurality ofelectronic apparatuses which are connected to one another are classifiedinto the one electronic apparatus having the highest priority and theother electronic apparatuses having the non-highest priority.

The electronic apparatus having the highest priority then performssetting processing at highest priority (step SF9). In this case, thecommunication control unit 103 a outputs information representing thehighest priority to the speech recognition operation inhibition settingunit 104, and outputs the information representing the types of theconnected other electronic apparatuses to the speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105 a. Consequently, the speech recognitionoperation inhibition setting unit 104 allows the speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105 a to perform the speech recognitionoperation by the speech instruction input unit 101 and the speechrecognition unit 102.

On the other hand, the electronic apparatus having the non-highestpriority performs setting processing at non-highest priority (stepSF10). In this case, the communication control unit 103 a outputsinformation representing the non-highest priority to the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 104, and outputs theinformation representing the types of the connected other electronicapparatuses to the speech recognition operation judgment unit 105 a.Consequently, the speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit104 inhibits the speech recognition operation judgment unit 105 a fromperforming the speech recognition operation by the speech instructioninput unit 101 and the speech recognition unit 102.

In the following description, the electronic apparatus having thehighest priority out of the electronic apparatuses which are connectedto one another is referred to as a master, and the electronic apparatushaving the non-highest priority is referred to as a slave.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic views showing the change in the state ofthe power supply in each of the four types of electronic apparatusesshown in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 illustrates a case where the apparatus A, theapparatus B, the apparatus C, and the apparatus X are connected to oneanother, and a state where the power supply in only the apparatus B isoff is changed to a state where the power supply in the apparatus C isfurther turned off. FIG. 13 illustrates a case where the apparatus A,the apparatus B, the apparatus C, and the apparatus X are connected toone another, and a state where the power supplies in the apparatus B andthe apparatus C are off is changed to a state where the power supply inthe apparatus C is turned on.

FIGS. 14, 15, 16, and 17 are detailed flow charts showing prioritydetermination processing of the electronic apparatuses with the changein the states of the power supplies.

The priority determination processing of the electronic apparatuses willbe described separately with respect to a case where the power supply inone of the connected electronic apparatuses is turned off and a casewhere the power supply in one of the connected electronic apparatuses isturned on.

It is assumed that ID numbers IDa, IDb, IDc, and IDx are respectivelyassigned to the apparatuses A, B, C, and X. The priorities of theapparatuses A, B, C, and X are respectively determined by the values ofthe ID numbers IDa, IDb, IDc, and IDx. In the following example, it isassumed that when the power supplies in all the apparatuses are turnedon, the values of the ID numbers have the relationship ofIDc>IDb>IDx>IDa, and the priorities of the apparatuses C, B, X, and Adecrease in this order.

In the connected state shown in FIG. 12, consider a case where the powersupply in one of the connected electronic apparatuses is turned off.That is, description is made of a case where the apparatuses A, B, C,and X are connected to one another, and a state where the power supplyin only the apparatus B is off is changed to a state where the powersupply in the apparatus C is further turned off. Here, the apparatus Chas the highest priority before the states of the power supplies in theconnected electronic apparatuses are changed. In this case, the powersupply in the apparatus B is turned off, so that the priorities of theapparatuses C, X, and A decrease in this order.

The apparatus C itself has the highest priority, and is allowed toperform a speech recognition operation. A command to turn of f the powersupply in the apparatus C is given to the speech recognition unit 102 inthe apparatus C, whereby the speech recognition unit 102 outputs to thespeech recognition operation judgment unit 105 a a signal indicatingthat the self power supply is turned off. The speech recognitionoperation judgment unit 105 a transmits a signal indicating that thepower supply in the apparatus C is turned off to the microcomputer 803in the communication control unit 103 a through the electronic apparatuscontrol unit 106 a. The microcomputer 803 in the communication controlunit 103 a in the apparatus C receives a signal indicating that thepower supply in the apparatus C is turned off, to detect that the selfpower supply is turned off (step S101).

At the step S101, the electronic apparatus control unit 106 a transmitsa signal indicating that the power supply in the apparatus C is turnedoff to the microcomputer 803 in the communication control unit 103 a andat the same time, turns off the power supply in the electronic apparatusfunctional unit 107. Consequently, the electronic apparatus functionalunit 107 stops the inherent function of the apparatus C.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then transmits a comparisonregister reset signal to the other apparatuses B and X through theinput/output interface 802, and resets the self comparison register(step S102). Here, the comparison register reset signal is a signal forresetting data stored in the comparison register 805 in thecommunication control unit 103 a in each of the apparatuses, as in thefirst embodiment.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then judges whether the selfpower supply is turned on or off (step S103). Here, the power supply inthe apparatus C is in the off state.

In this case, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C transmits a powersupply-off identifier and the self ID number IDc to the otherapparatuses B and X without setting the self ID number IDc in the resetself comparison register 805 (step S112).

Before the power supply in the apparatus C is turned off, the apparatusC has the highest priority. Accordingly, the ID number IDc is set in thecomparison register 805 in the apparatus C. The power supply-offidentifier indicates that the power supply is turned off in a statewhere the electronic apparatus is connected. In this case, the apparatusC is not directly connected to the apparatus A. Accordingly, theapparatus C cannot transmit the power supply-off identifier and the IDnumber IDc to the apparatus A.

The apparatus C enters a receiving wait mode of an order identifier andan ID number from the other apparatus (step S201). The order identifieris the same as the order identifier described in the first embodiment.

The operations of the apparatus B during the operations at the stepsS101 to 103, the step S112, and the step S201 of the apparatus C will bedescribed below.

At the time point where the power supply in the apparatus C is turnedoff, the apparatus B does not detect the change in the state of thepower supply (step S101), not to start communication processing.Communication processing of the apparatus B is started by receiving thecomparison register reset signal through the input/output interface 802from the apparatus C (step S111).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B receives a comparison registerreset signal, to further transmit the comparison register reset signalreceived through the input/output interface 802 to the other apparatus Aas well as to reset the self comparison register 805 (step S102).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B then judges whether the selfpower supply is turned on or off (step S103). Here, the power supply inthe apparatus B is in the off state.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus B transmits a power supply-offidentifier and the self ID number IDb to the other apparatuses A and Cwithout setting the self ID number IDc to the reset self comparisonregister (step S112).

Before the power supply in the apparatus C is turned off, the powersupply in the apparatus B is also turned off, whereby the ID number isnot set in the comparison register 805 in the apparatus B. In this case,the apparatus B is not directly connected to the apparatus X.Accordingly, the apparatus B cannot transmit the power supply-offidentifier and the ID number IDb to the apparatus X.

The apparatus B enters a receiving wait mode of an order identifier andan ID number from the other apparatus (step S201).

The operations of the apparatus X during the operations at the stepsS101 to S103, the step S112, and the step S201 of the apparatus C willbe described below.

At the time point where the power supply in the apparatus C is turnedoff, the apparatus X does not detect the change in the state of thepower supply (step S1), not to start communication processing.Communication processing of the apparatus X is started by receiving thecomparison register reset signal through the input/output interface 802from the apparatus C (step S111).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X receives a comparison registerreset signal, to further transmit the comparison register reset signalreceived through the input/output interface 802 to the other apparatus Aas well as to reset the self comparison register 805 (step S102).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X then judges whether the selfpower supply is turned on or off (step S103). Here, the power supply inthe apparatus X is in the on state.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X sets the self ID number IDx inthe comparison register 805 (step 104). Before the power supply in theapparatus C is turned off, the apparatus C has the higher priority.Accordingly, the ID number IDc is set in the comparison register 805 inthe apparatus X.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X transmits an order identifierand the self ID number IDx to the other apparatus C through theinput/output interface 802 (step S105). Thereafter, the apparatus Xenters a receiving wait mode of an order identifier from the otherapparatus (step S201).

The operations of the apparatus A during the operations at the stepsS101 to S103, the step S112, and the step S201 of the apparatus C arethe same as the operations of the apparatus X.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C receives the power supply-offidentifier and the ID number IDb and the order identifier and the IDnumber IDx, respectively, from the other apparatuses B and X through theinput/output interface 802 in the receiving wait mode (step S202).Consequently, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C stores in thememory 804 the power supply-off identifier and the ID number IDb and theorder identifier and the ID number IDx which have been respectivelyreceived form the apparatuses B and X (step S203). At this time, acombination of the power supply-off identifier and the ID number and acombination of the order identifier and the ID number are also stored inthe memory 804.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C transmits the power supply-offidentifier and the ID number IDb and the order identifier and the IDnumber IDx which have been respectively received from the apparatuses Band X to the other apparatuses B and X through the input/outputinterface 802 (step S204).

The operations at the steps S202 to S204 of the apparatus C are repeateduntil a predetermined time period has elapsed (step S301). In this case,the apparatus C can receive the ID number IDa from the apparatus A whichis not directly connected thereto, together with the order identifier,through the apparatus B. Consequently, the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDxof all the other apparatuses A, B, and X and identifiers (a powersupply-off identifier and an order identifier) representing the state ofthe power supply in each of the apparatuses A, B, and X are stored inthe memory 804 in the apparatus C.

Also in the apparatuses A, B, and X, the operations at the steps S202 toS204 and the step S301 are repeated. Consequently, stored in thememories 804 in the apparatuses A, B, and X are respectively the IDnumbers of all the other apparatuses.

The operations at the foregoing steps S101 to S105, S201 to S204, S111,and S112 correspond to the communication processing among electronicapparatuses at the step SF6 in the priority determination processingshown in FIG. 11. Further, the step S301 corresponds to the connectedapparatus judgment processing at the step SF7 in the prioritydetermination processing shown in FIG. 11.

Although each of the apparatuses A, B, C, and X transmits the comparisonregister reset signal when the power supply is turned on (step S102),sets the self ID number in the comparison register 805 (step S104),transmits the order identifier and the ID number (step S105), and thenreceives the ID number from the other apparatus, it may receive theidentifier and the ID number from the other apparatus when the self IDnumber is set in the comparison register 805. In this case, theapparatus may perform the operations at the steps S104 and S105 afterperforming the operations at the steps S202 to S204.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C then judges whether theidentifier combined with each of the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDx of theother apparatuses A, B, and X which are stored in the self memory 804 isan order identifier or a power supply-off identifier (step S401).

With respect to the apparatuses A and X in a state where the powersupplies are on, the order identifiers are respectively combined withthe ID numbers IDa and IDx. The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus Cjudges, when the order identifier is combined with the ID number, thatthe ID number is an object to be compared. With respect to the apparatusB in a state where the power supply is off, the power supply-offidentifier is combined with the ID number IDb. The microcomputer 803 inthe apparatus C judges, when the power supply-off identifier is combinedwith the ID number, that the ID number is not an object to be compared.

Then, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C successively compares theID number set in the self comparison register 805 with the ID numbersIDa, IDb, and IDx of the other apparatuses A, B, and X which are storedin the memory 804 (step S402). With respect to the apparatus B, thepower supply-off identifier is combined with the ID number IDb at thestep S401, whereby the ID number is outside an object to be compared.Further, the apparatus C is in a state where the power supply is off,whereby the ID number is not set in the comparison register 805 in theapparatus C by the operations at the steps S102 and S112.

A comparison operation described herein is performed in the followingmanner. When the ID number which is an object to be compared in thememory 804 is larger than the ID number in the comparison register 805,the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C judges that the ID number inthe memory 804 has a high priority. When the ID number in the memory 804is not larger than the ID number in the comparison register 805, thecomparison register 805 is not reset.

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus C sets in the comparison register805 the ID number which is judged to have a high priority in the memory804 (step S403).

This operation is performed successively with respect to all the IDnumbers, which are objects to be compared, stored in the memory 804. Allthe ID numbers, which are objects to be compared, stored in the memory804 are compared with each other, thereby terminating the comparisonoperation (step S404).

In the apparatus C, the self ID number is not set in the comparisonregister 805. When the ID number which is an object to be comparedexists in the memory 804, the ID number is set in the comparisonregister 805.

In this example, the ID number IDa of the apparatus A and the ID numberIDx of the apparatus X are set in the memory 804 in the apparatus C. TheID numbers IDa and IDx are successively compared with the ID number inthe comparison register 805. In a state where the power supply is on,the priority of the apparatus X is higher than the priority of theapparatus A. Therefore, the ID number IDx of the apparatus X is finallyset in the comparison register 805 in the apparatus C.

In the other apparatuses A, B, and X, the operations at the steps S401to S404 are also performed. Consequently, the ID number IDx of theapparatus X is set in the comparison registers 805 in the apparatuses A,B, and X.

After the foregoing operation work is terminated, an operation forjudging whether the apparatus C is a master or a slave is performed.

When the comparison operation is terminated, the microcomputer 803 ineach of the apparatuses B, C, A, and X recognizes again whether the selfpower supply is turned on or off (step S405). In this example, the powersupplies in the apparatuses B and C are turned off, and the powersupplies in the apparatuses A and X are turned on.

When the self power supply is turned on, the microcomputer 803 thenjudges whether or not the ID number set in the self comparison register805 is the same as the self ID number (step S406). In this example, inthe apparatuses A and X, the judgment operation is performed.

The operations at the steps S401 to S406 correspond to the priorityjudgment processing at the step SF8 in the priority determinationprocessing shown in FIG. 11. This processing is retrieval work in thememory 804 having the ID number stored at the step S202.

When the self power supply is turned off at the step S405, themicrocomputer 803 recognizes that the apparatus provided therewith is aslave, and outputs a signal indicating the slave to the speechrecognition operation inhibition setting unit 104 in the apparatus C(step S601).

The microcomputer 803 then outputs to the speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDx of the otherapparatuses A, B, and X stored in the memory 804 (step S602). In thisexample, the apparatus B and the apparatus C in a state where the powersupplies are off are respectively slaves.

On the other hand, the power supplies in the apparatuses A and X are inthe on state in this example. In this case, the ID number IDx is set inthe comparison registers 805 in the apparatuses A and X.

The operations of the apparatus X will be described.

The microcomputer 803 recognizes that the apparatus provided therewithis a master because the self ID number IDx is set in the comparisonregister 805 at the step S405, and outputs a signal indicating themaster to the speech recognition operation inhibition setting unit 104in the apparatus X (step S501).

The microcomputer 803 in the apparatus X then outputs to the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 the ID numbers IDa, IDb, and IDcof the other apparatuses A, B, and C which are stored in the memory 804(step S502).

In this example, the apparatus X becomes a master because the ID numberIDx is set in the self comparison register 805. Here, the self ID numberIDa is not set in the comparison register 805 in the apparatus A. Inthis case, the microcomputer 803 in the apparatus A recognizes that theapparatus itself is a slave. The operations at the steps S601 and S602are performed, as in the apparatus C and the apparatus B.

The operations at the steps S501 and S502 correspond to the settingprocessing at highest priority at the step SF9 in the prioritydetermination processing shown in FIG. 11. The operations at the stepsS601 and S602 correspond to the setting processing at non-highestpriority at the step SF10 in the priority determination processing shownin FIG. 11.

By the foregoing, the priority determination processing of each of theconnected electronic apparatuses in a case where the state of the powersupply in the electronic apparatus is changed in FIG. 12 is terminated.

In the connected state shown in FIG. 13, then consider a case where thepower supply in one of the connected electronic apparatuses is turnedon. That is, description is made of a case where the apparatuses A, B,C, and X are connected to one another, and a state where the powersupplies in the apparatuses B and C are off is changed to a state wherethe power supply in the apparatus C is turned on.

Here, the apparatus X has the highest priority before the states of thepower supplies in the connected electronic apparatuses are changed. Inthis case, the power supplies in the apparatus B and the apparatus C areturned off, so that the priorities of the apparatuses X and A decreasein this order.

The apparatus C itself has the non-highest priority, and is not allowedto perform a speech recognition operation. In this case, the apparatus Xhas the highest priority, and is allowed to perform a speech recognitionoperation.

A command to turn on the power supply in the apparatus C is given to thespeech recognition unit 102 in the apparatus X, whereby the speechrecognition unit 102 outputs to the speech recognition operationjudgment unit 105 a a signal indicating that the power supply in theapparatus C is turned on. The speech recognition operation judgment unit105 a transmits a signal indicating that the power supply in theapparatus C is turned on to the communication control unit 103 a throughthe electronic apparatus control unit 106 a. The communication controlunit 103 a in the apparatus X transmits a received command signal to theapparatus C through the input/output interface 802. The apparatus Cwhich has received the command signal starts various types of operationsby a command from the exterior.

The signal indicating that the power supply in the apparatus C is turnedon is outputted to the electronic apparatus control unit 106 a from thecommunication control unit 103 a in the apparatus C through the speechrecognition operation judgment unit 105 a. The electronic apparatuscontrol unit 106 a in the apparatus C turns on the power supply in theelectronic apparatus functional unit 107.

On the other hand, the microcomputer 803 in the communication controlunit 103 a in the apparatus C receives a signal indicating that thepower supply in the apparatus C is turned on, to detect that the selfpower supply is turned on (step S101).

Thereafter, the priority determination processing of the connectedelectronic apparatuses with the change in the states of the powersupplies in the electronic apparatuses are performed, as in theforegoing steps S101 to S105, S111, S112, S201 to S204, S301, S405,S406, S501, S502, S601, and S602.

As a result of the priority determination processing, the apparatus Chas the highest priority in this example. The apparatus X having thehighest priority before the power supply in the apparatus C is turned onhas the non-highest priority.

In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 103corresponds to connected state detection means, first identificationmeans, and first judgment means. The communication control unit 103 acorresponds to connected state detection means, power supply statedetection means, first identification means, second identificationmeans, identification means, first judgment means, second judgmentmeans, and judgment means. The speech recognition operation inhibitionsetting unit 104 corresponds to first and second operationallowance/inhibition means.

The input/output interface 802 in the communication control unit 103corresponds to first communication means, and the comparison register805 in the communication control unit 103 corresponds to firstcomparison means. The input/output interface 802 in the communicationcontrol unit 103 a corresponds to first communication means and secondcommunication means, and the comparison register 805 in thecommunication control unit 103 a corresponds to first comparison meansand second comparison means. The memories 804 in the communicationcontrol unit 103 and the communication control unit 103 a correspond tostorage means.

Although in the above-mentioned embodiments, description was made of acase where the present invention is applied to the prioritydetermination device, the priority determining method, and the prioritydetermination program that determine the priorities for the speechrecognition operation among the plurality of electronic apparatuses, thepresent invention is not limited to the electronic apparatuses eachhaving the speech recognition device. For example, the present inventionis also applicable to a case where priorities for another function aredetermined among the plurality of electronic apparatuses.

1. A priority determination device provided in one of a plurality ofelectronic apparatuses that can be connected to one another, arerespectively assigned priorities, and respectively have operation unitseach performing a predetermined operation, characterized by comprising:connected state detection means for detecting the change in theconnected state of said plurality of electronic apparatuses; firstidentification means for identifying the electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state bycommunicating with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses inresponse to the detection of the change by said connected statedetection means; first judgment means for judging whether or not saidone electronic apparatus has the highest priority on the basis of thepriority of each of the electronic apparatuses identified by said firstidentification means; and first operation allowance/inhibition means forallowing the operation performed by said operation unit when said firstjudgment means judges that said one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority, while inhibiting the operation performed by said operationunit when said first judgment means judges that said one electronicapparatus does not have the highest priority; characterized in whichpriorities are previously set, respectively, in identificationinformation for identifying said plurality of electronic apparatuses,said first identification means comprising first communication means forreceiving the identification information from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate in response to the detection of the change by said connected statedetection means, and transmitting the self identification information tothe other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the changein the connected state, said first judgment means comprising firstcomparison means for comparing the identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses received by said communicationmeans with the self identification information, to judge whether or notsaid one electronic apparatus has the highest priority.
 2. The prioritydetermination device according to claim 1, characterized by furthercomprising storage means for storing apparatus connection informationrepresenting the electronic apparatuses which are connected to oneanother on the basis of the identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses received by said first communicationmeans, said operation unit having the function of operating theelectronic apparatuses connected on the basis of the apparatusconnection information stored in said storage means.
 3. The prioritydetermination device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by furthercomprising power supply state detection means for detecting the changein the states of power supplies in the plurality of electronicapparatuses which are connected to one another, second identificationmeans for identifying the electronic apparatus in which the power supplyis in the on state out of the other electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies bycommunicating with the connected other electronic apparatus orapparatuses in response to the detection of the change by said powersupply state detection means, second judgment means for judging whetheror not said one electronic apparatus has the highest priority on thebasis of the priority of each of the electronic apparatuses identifiedby said second identification means, and second operationallowance/inhibition means for allowing the operation performed by saidoperation unit when said second judgment means judges that said oneelectronics apparatus has the highest priority, while inhibiting theoperation performed by said operation unit when said second judgmentmeans judges that said one electronic apparatus does not have thehighest priority.
 4. The priority determination device according toclaim 3, characterized in that said second identification meanscomprises second communication means for receiving the identificationinformation, together with power supply information representing thestates of the power supplies, from the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies in response to the detection of the change by said power supplystate detection means, and transmitting power supply informationrepresenting the state of the self power supply, together with the selfidentification information, to the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state, and saidsecond judgment means comprises second comparison means for comparingthe identification information for the electronic apparatuses in whichthe power supplies are in the on state on the basis of the power supplyinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses and theself power supply information which have been received by said secondcommunication means, to judge whether or not said one electronicapparatus out of the electronic apparatuses in which the power suppliesare in the on state has the highest priority.
 5. The prioritydetermination device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatsaid operation unit comprises a speech recognition operation unit thatperforms a speech recognition operation.
 6. A priority determiningmethod provided in one of a plurality of electronic apparatuses that canbe connected to one another, are respectively assigned priorities, andrespectively have operation units each performing a predeterminedoperation, the priority determining method according to claim 1,characterized by comprising the steps of: detecting the change in theconnected state of said plurality of electronic apparatuses; identifyingthe electronic apparatus or apparatuses, other than said one electronicapparatus, connected after the change in the connected state bycommunicating with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses inresponse to the detection of the change; judging whether or not said oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority on the basis of thepriority of each of the identified electronic apparatuses; and allowingthe operation performed by said operation unit when it is judged thatsaid one electronic apparatus has the V highest priority, whileinhibiting the operation performed by said operation unit when it isjudged that said one electronic apparatus does not have the highestpriority.
 7. The priority determining method according to claim 6,characterized in which priorities are previously set, respectively, inidentification information for identifying said plurality of electronicapparatuses, said identifying step comprising the step of receiving theidentification information from the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state inresponse to the detection of the change by said step of detecting thechange in the connected state, and transmitting the self identificationinformation to the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state, said judging step comprisingthe step of judging whether or not said one electronic apparatus has thehighest priority by comparing the identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses received by said communicationmeans with the self identification information.
 8. The prioritydetermining method according to claim 7, characterized by furthercomprising the step of storing apparatus connection informationrepresenting the electronic apparatuses which are connected to oneanother on the basis of said received identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses, said operation unit operatingthe electronic apparatuses connected on the basis of said storedapparatus connection information.
 9. A priority determination deviceprovided in one of a plurality of electronic apparatuses that can beconnected to one another, are respectively assigned priorities, andrespectively have operation units each performing a predeterminedoperation, characterized by comprising: power supply state detectionmeans for detecting the change in the states of power supplies in theplurality of electronic apparatuses which are connected to one another;identification means for identifying the electronic apparatus in whichthe power supply is in the on state out of the electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the states of the powersupplies by communicating with the connected other electronic apparatusor apparatuses in response to the detection of the change by said powersupply state detection means; judgment means for judging whether or notsaid one electronic apparatus has the highest priority on the basis ofthe priority of each of the electronic apparatuses identified by saididentification means; and operation allowance/inhibition means forallowing the operation performed by said operation unit when saidjudgment means judges that said one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority, while inhibiting the operation performed by said operationunit when said judgment means judges that said one electronic apparatusdoes not have the highest priority; characterized in which prioritiesare previously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying said plurality of electronic apparatuses, saididentification means comprising communication means for receiving theidentification information, together with power supply informationrepresenting the states of the power supplies, from the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the states of thepower supplies in response to the detection of the change by said powersupply state detection means, and transmitting power supply informationrepresenting the state of the self power supply, together with the selfidentification information, to the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state, saidjudgment means comprising comparison means for comparing theidentification information for the electronic apparatuses in which thepower supplies are in the on state on the basis of the power supplyinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses and theself power supply information which have been received by saidcommunication means, to judge whether or not said one electronicapparatus out of the electronic apparatuses in which the power suppliesare in the on state has the highest priority.
 10. The prioritydetermination device according to claim 1, characterized by furthercomprising storage means for storing apparatus connection informationrepresenting the electronic apparatuses which are connected to oneanother on the basis of the identification information for the otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses received by said communicationmeans, said operation unit having the function of operating theelectronic apparatuses connected on the basis of the apparatusconnection information stored in said storage means.
 11. The prioritydetermination device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in thatsaid operation unit comprises a speech recognition operation unit thatperforms a speech recognition operation.
 12. A priority determiningmethod provided in one of a plurality of electronic apparatuses that canbe connected to one another, are respectively assigned priorities, andrespectively have operation units each performing a predeterminedoperation, characterized by comprising the steps of: detecting thechange in the states of power supplies in the plurality of electronicapparatuses which are connected to one another; identifying theelectronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on state out ofthe electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change inthe states of the power supplies by communicating with the connectedother electronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the detectionof the change by said step of detecting the change in the states of thepower supplies; judging whether or not said one electronic apparatus hasthe highest priority on the basis of the priority of each of theelectronic apparatuses identified by said step of identifying theelectronic apparatus in which the power supply is in the on state; andallowing the operation performed by said operation unit when it isjudged that said one electronic apparatus has the highest priority,while inhibiting the operation performed by said operation unit when itis judged that said one electronic apparatus does not have the highestpriority; characterized in which priorities are previously set,respectively, in identification information for identifying saidplurality of electronic apparatuses, said identifying step comprisingthe step of receiving the identification information, together withpower supply information representing the states of the power supplies,from the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after thechange in the states of the power supplies in response to the detectionof the change, and transmitting the power supply informationrepresenting the state of the self power supply, together with the selfidentification information, to the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses connected after the change in the connected state, saidjudging step comprising the step of judging whether or not said oneelectronic apparatus out of the electronic apparatuses in which thepower supplies are in the on state has the highest priority by comparingthe identification information for the electronic apparatuses in whichthe power supplies are in the on state on the basis of the power supplyinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses and theself power supply information which have been received.
 13. The prioritydetermining method according to claim 12, characterized by furthercomprising the step of storing apparatus connection informationrepresenting the electronic apparatuses which are connected to oneanother on the basis of said received identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses, said operation unit operatingthe electronic apparatuses connected on the basis of said storedapparatus connection information.
 14. A priority determination programexecuted by a processing device in one of a plurality of electronicapparatuses that can be connected to one another, are respectivelyassigned priorities, and respectively have operation units eachperforming a predetermined operation, characterized by comprising:processing for detecting the change in the connected state of saidplurality of electronic apparatuses; processing for identifying theelectronic apparatus or apparatuses, other than said one electronicapparatus, connected after the change in the connected state bycommunicating with the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses inresponse to the detection of the change; processing for judging whetheror not said one electronic apparatus has the highest priority on thebasis of the priority of each of the identified electronic apparatuses;and processing for allowing the operation performed by said operationunit when it is judged that said one electronic apparatus has thehighest priority, while inhibiting the operation performed by saidoperation unit when it is judged that said one electronic apparatus doesnot have the highest priority; characterized in which priorities arepreviously set, respectively, in identification information foridentifying said plurality of electronic apparatuses, said identifyingprocessing comprising processing for receiving the identificationinformation from the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses connectedafter the change in the connected state in response to the detection ofthe change in the connected state by the processing for detecting thechange, and transmitting the self identification information to theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change inthe connected state, said judging processing comprising processing forjudging whether or not said one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority by comparing the received identification information for theother electronic apparatus or apparatuses with the self identificationinformation.
 15. The priority determination program according to claim14, characterized by further comprising processing for storing apparatusconnection information representing the electronic apparatuses which areconnected to one another on the basis of said received identificationinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses, saidoperation unit operating the electronic apparatuses connected on thebasis of said stored apparatus connection information.
 16. A prioritydetermination program executed by a processing device in one of aplurality of electronic apparatuses that can be connected to oneanother, are respectively assigned priorities, and respectively haveoperation units each performing a predetermined operation, characterizedby comprising: processing for detecting the change in the states ofpower supplies in the plurality of electronic apparatuses which areconnected to one another; processing for identifying the electronicapparatus in which the power supply is in the on state out of theelectronic apparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in thestates of the power supplies by communicating with the connected otherelectronic apparatus or apparatuses in response to the detection of thechange in the states of the power supplies by said processing fordetecting the change; processing for judging whether or not said oneelectronic apparatus has the highest priority on the basis of thepriority of each of the identified electronic apparatuses; andprocessing for allowing the operation performed by said operation unitwhen it is judged that said one electronic apparatus has the highestpriority, while inhibiting the operation performed by said operationunit when it is judged that said one electronic apparatus does not havethe highest priority; characterized in which priorities are previouslyset, respectively, in identification information for identifying saidplurality of electronic apparatuses, said identifying processingcomprising processing for receiving the identification information,together with power supply information representing the states of thepower supplies, from the other electronic apparatus or apparatusesconnected after the change in the states of the power supplies inresponse to the detection of the change, and transmitting power supplyinformation representing the state of the self power supply, togetherwith the self identification information, to the other electronicapparatus or apparatuses connected after the change in the connectedstate, said judging processing comprising processing for judging whetheror not said one electronic apparatus out of the electronic apparatusesin which the power supplies are in the on state has the highest priorityby comparing the identification information for the electronicapparatuses in which the power supplies are in the on state on the basisof the power supply information for the other electronic apparatus orapparatuses and the self power supply information which have beenreceived.
 17. The priority determination program according to claim 16,characterized by further comprising processing for storing apparatusconnection information representing the electronic apparatuses which areconnected to one another on the basis of said received identificationinformation for the other electronic apparatus or apparatuses, saidoperation unit operating the electronic apparatuses connected on thebasis of said stored apparatus connection information.